Plumbing

Apple Valley, Minn. — Uponor North America (Uponor) held a ceremonial “pipe-cutting event” to mark the opening of its $5.5 million, 25,000-square-foot expansion to the Hutchinson, Minn., facility. This new space will increase the company’s PEX-a pipe extrusion production capacity by more than 10 percent, while growing highly skilled jobs in Hutchinson in the coming Read more

Apple Valley, Minn. — Uponor North America (Uponor) held a ceremonial “pipe-cutting event” to mark the opening of its $5.5 million, 25,000-square-foot expansion to the Hutchinson, Minn., facility. This new space will increase the company’s PEX-a pipe extrusion production capacity by more than 10 percent, while growing highly skilled jobs in Hutchinson in the coming years.

Michael Rauterkus, president and CEO, Uponor Group, (center) joins business leaders as he cuts the ceremonial PEX-a pipe to mark the opening of the company’s $5.5 million, 25,000 sq. ft. expansion in Hutchinson, Minn.

The expansion project broke ground in July 2021 with PCL Construction as the general contractor, Tekton Engineers as the structural engineer, Focal Point Partners as the electrical subcontractor, and Legend Companies as the mechanical subcontractor. The renovated space will allow Uponor to move forward with a major investment in next-generation extrusion technology.

Michael Rauterkus, president and CEO, Uponor Group, took part in the event. This was his first trip to visit Uponor facilities across North America since joining the company in August 2021. He toured the Hutchinson production facility, met with team members, and helped cut the ceremonial pipe.

“Today was a special day for Uponor North America,” Rauterkus said during the event. “Seeing this investment become a reality and knowing what is possible from a manufacturing potential, I am certain Uponor will continue to make positive impacts on the Hutchinson area. I am eager to see what happens next with this team.”

“This expansion reinforces our commitment to Hutchinson and the team members who help us deliver for our customers. I want to thank our construction partners for their efforts in designing and building this space, as well as our global partners across Uponor who saw the potential in what our Hutchinson team could achieve with this major investment,” said Jon Sillerud, vice president, Operations, Uponor North America.

There are many ways to generate new business for a plumbing company, but the most important is to focus on generating quality leads. A successful plumbing company should have a strong marketing strategy and be able to generate leads and interest in their services. Let’s take a look at how. How Social Media Can Help Read more

There are many ways to generate new business for a plumbing company, but the most important is to focus on generating quality leads. A successful plumbing company should have a strong marketing strategy and be able to generate leads and interest in their services. Let’s take a look at how.

How Social Media Can Help Your New Company Grow Fast

Social media marketing is a powerful tool that can help your new company grow fast. It can be used to generate awareness and engage with your target audience. Social media platforms are often like the Wild West. With so many platforms out there, it can be hard for a new company to find its place in the social media world. One way to stand out from the crowd is by creating content that is unique and relevant to your target audience’s interests. This will also help you build trust with them and gain their trust in return.

How to Get Conversions and Leads with Your Plumbing Company

The first step in generating leads is to create a website that is optimized for conversions. This means having relevant content on the front page and making sure that it has the right call-to-action button. You should also have a landing page with an opt-in form that encourages visitors to subscribe for future updates.

The next step is creating compelling content for your website. You should make sure that the text on your site is engaging and informative enough so people are willing to subscribe to receive more information about your company’s services.

How to Set up a Plumbing Company Website

With the help of a website builder software, you can create a website in minutes. The best part is that it is not necessary to be a web designer or developer to set up your own website. There are many benefits that come from using a website builder like Wix. A few of these benefits are:

  • You don’t need to know HTML or CSS
  • You don’t need to know about web hosting
  • You get custom design options for free
  • There are no monthly fees for hosting

What are the Best DIY Marketing Techniques for Plumbing Companies?

Plumbing companies are usually in a competitive market and they need to be on top of their game. They are always looking for new marketing ideas that can help them stand out from the competition. Here are some of the best DIY marketing techniques to follow:

– Make sure you have a blog that is updated regularly with content related to your industry. It will be easier for people to find you when they search online.

– Make sure you have a well-designed website, one that is user-friendly and easy to navigate. This will help increase your visibility online, especially if it is optimized for mobile devices.

– Create an email list and send out regular newsletters about topics related to your business, such as recent news or upcoming events in your area.

How to Promote Your Brand with SEO

There are many digital marketing tools that can help you in promoting your brand and SEO is one of them. It is important to know what works best for your business so you can be more effective with your marketing efforts. Promoting your brand with targeted marketing and SEO requires a lot of work. If you’re unsure how to get started, an expert like sofiaseo.com can help you to get underway. There are many tactics that you can use to promote your brand on the internet and offline.

SEO is the process of affecting the visibility of a website or a web page in organic results on search engines’ web pages by increasing its relevance in search engine results pages. It can be one of the most beneficial parts of your strategy to get started with.

The Process of Generating New Business with Referrals

Referrals are the best way to generate new business for your business. It is a process of generating leads and it doesn’t require any marketing or advertising. A referral is when a customer of your company refers a new customer to you.

When someone who has never heard of your company goes to the website, they find out that they can get 10% off their first purchase by using their referral code. They then share this code with friends and family members who want to save money on their purchase too. These people then go to the website and use the code, which generates a lead for your company

Washington, D.C. — The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) strongly supports The Healthy Drinking Water Affordability Act, or The Healthy H2O Act, which would provide grants for water testing and treatment technology directly to individuals, nonprofits and local governments in rural communities. Introduced by U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), The Healthy H2O Act would Read more

Washington, D.C. — The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) strongly supports The Healthy Drinking Water Affordability Act, or The Healthy H2O Act, which would provide grants for water testing and treatment technology directly to individuals, nonprofits and local governments in rural communities.

Introduced by U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), The Healthy H2O Act would provide grants for water quality testing and the purchase and installation of point-of-use or point-of-entry water quality improvement systems that remove or significantly reduce contaminants from drinking water. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) would provide the grants directly to individuals and nonprofits or local governments to help people go through the process of water testing and then finding and installing a water treatment product to address their situation.

Communities across the United States face threats to their drinking water from a number of contaminants, including lead, arsenic, nitrates, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), PFOA, PFOS, hexavalent chromium-6, and others. While public water systems monitor for these threats and treat water before it is distributed to points of use, nearly 43 million households primarily in rural communities rely exclusively on groundwater delivered through private wells for their drinking water. This water is not subject to the same regular oversight and testing for contamination, which can delay identification of and response to health threats. The Healthy H2O Act would provide grants for rural communities to increase access to the many technologies for testing and water treatment at the point of use.

Every Wisconsin community deserves access to clean drinking water and an environment free of toxic chemicals. Across our state, communities are struggling to identify and treat known and emerging chemicals that endanger our health, especially for children,” Baldwin said. “My legislation will cut costs and expand access to water testing and treatment for families in rural communities so that when we turn on the faucet, we can be confident our drinking water is safe.”

Through its Community Plumbing Challenges (CPC), IAPMO’s nonprofit organization, the International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH), collaborates with local governments, nonprofit organizations and volunteer tradespeople to identify and address water and sanitation-related issues in rural areas where access to clean, safe water and sanitation is limited or compromised. Baldwin invited IAPMO Director of Workforce Training and Development/IWSH North America Project Manager Randy Lorge, who has been integral to the success of CPCs in South Africa, Indonesia, and the United States, to be her virtual guest for President Biden’s State of the Union address March 2.

“IAPMO believes that everyone should have access to clean water and sanitation. This is why we support the introduction of The Healthy H2O Act and applaud Senator Baldwin for her leadership on this issue,” said Dain Hansen, IAPMO’s executive vice president of Government Relations. “IAPMO has long championed solutions around the globe that lead to lasting quality water and sanitation services. Today, many communities across the United States face challenges with their drinking water — an issue that is only compounded in underserved neighborhoods. Water filtration technologies play an important role meeting those challenges immediately. We recognize this as an essential piece of legislation that helps our country take a critical step in closing the clean drinking water access gap in the U.S.”

The Healthy H2O Act is also supported by The Water Quality Association (WQA), The National Ground Water Association (NGWA), The Water Council, NSF International, American Supply Association (ASA), Water Systems Council, Water Well Trust, and The Groundwater Foundation.

The 2022 AHR Expo traveled to Vegas with a strong return to in-person events, a critical need in the industry as HVACR continues to be on the front lines of many major world challenges. Discussions across the industry include energy efficiency, environmental changes, air quality, and a sense that the world has undoubtedly changed in Read more

The 2022 AHR Expo traveled to Vegas with a strong return to in-person events, a critical need in the industry as HVACR continues to be on the front lines of many major world challenges. Discussions across the industry include energy efficiency, environmental changes, air quality, and a sense that the world has undoubtedly changed in recent years with HVACR being no exception.

“One of the immediate challenges in our industry is gaps in the workforce across all roles. This is a potential roadblock to the work we have in front of us. The good news is we are aware of it and the industry is in agreement that we need to work together and build career-driven experiences for all those coming into the industry,” said Mark Stevens, manager of AHR Expo.

The show is uniquely positioned to offer an introduction to HVACR that highlights how one can aspire to build a lifelong career in HVACR. Each year, professionals gather to discuss issues and create solutions, and to showcase the very best of what’s to come. It is in this spirit the AHR Expo recognized an opportunity to widen the reach and purpose of some of the show’s key elements – access to professionals, new markets, products and technology as well as the cutting-edge development via the Innovation Awards.

“We’ve felt a shift for many years as innovation in our industry grows and the world wakes up to what HVACR currently offers and what it must succeed in for the future,” continued Stevens. “Inside the industry, we understand the immense responsibility to grow our workforce to maintain the demands of the future. We have a deep understanding of the way HVACR is a part of nearly every human experience in our built environment. The show is a unique opportunity to see everything all at once and connect with a broad audience within our community. With workforce growth being a focus in every corner, we sought to add value with our unique offering.”

The Need for a Growing Workforce

One thing of rising concern among all stakeholders is the need to strengthen the future workforce across all channels to support a growing industry.

The HVACR industry, like many, was already heading into a workforce deficit, as noted in prior years’ trend reports. With the onset of the pandemic, the industry took an even bigger hit with employee burnout, early retirement decisions and those drawn to the Great Resignation.

“The changes that this industry is going to be seeing over the next several years is immense – something that we’ve never seen,” said Stephen Yurek, president and CEO of AHRI while participating in a state of the industry panel at AHR Expo 2022. “Number one is just getting people into the industry. We’re going to be seeing a huge amount of retirements like we have already. Just getting people into the workforce and trained and ready to go.”

What’s more, HVACR became a vital effort in the return to normal after COVID19. Today, indoor air quality is discussed mainstream as an important mitigation factor for health and safety inside our built environment – something the industry has been raising awareness of for years. With this new spotlight, demand for HVACR solutions has increased tremendously. Likewise, the need for a motivated workforce to sustain and continue to grow the industry to meet demands.

Innovating the Innovation Awards

The AHR Expo introduced a workforce development initiative to expose potential industry professionals to HVACR in a moment when the industry shines brightest – all together under one roof with miles and miles of products and tech on display. The program is a means to honor the innovation that our professionals are bringing to market through the Innovation Awards while simultaneously supporting future innovators through mentorship and leadership.

In its inaugural year, AHR Expo invited Western High School, a local area high school with a dual academic program that graduates students certified and ready for hire as technicians in HVAC. The soon to graduate class was invited for a special field trip at the 2022 AHR Expo.

“We are humbled by the warm welcome from the surrounding communities that host our industry for the AHR Expo, and it is always our goal to give back in as many positive ways as we can during our visit,” stated Stevens. “Coming into Vegas, we married the initiatives of strengthening our industry as well as the hosting city community by supporting the growth of the local Las Vegas workforce.”

The AHR Expo set the goals of showcasing what the industry has to offer and how an individual can build a strong lifelong career in HVACR. The manufacturing community, industry associations, and training-focused professionals were eager to share in this experience. Manufacturers curated experiences in their booths for the students to ask questions, interact with experts and demo products; associations offered mentorship; and individuals offered personal experience and insight into the possibilities offered in the industry.

“While all the booths and presentations were amazing, I was most taken by how personally invested each of the presenters was in our students as the future of the HVAC industry. They genuinely wanted to support our students and direct them to a sustainable career,” Michelle Dillmann, Counselor, Western High School.

Welcoming the next generation

During their visit, students were welcomed by ambassadors eager to guide them on a planned tour through the show floor. Colleen Keyworth and Angie Snow from Women in HVACR, and Bob Rohr and Mary Olsen from Caleffi North America guided 23 students – 6 women and 17 men– for in-booth visits, Q&A sessions and a scavenger hunt/trivia of HVACR knowledge.

The students had time to meet with members of the Podcast Pavilion, including a group discussion led by Rich and Kevin of The HVAC Jerks where they answered questions about career development, how to be more involved in the industry and general advice to begin their career.

“The AHR Expo was definitely inspirational and gave me more courage to continue in this field,” Geraldine Avila, an 11th-grade student.

After spending a few hours on the floor, the students were hosted by Mike Mayberry (hvac_refer_guy) for a special presentation on resume building and expectations for joining the workforce. Mike covered topics such as skills and qualities employers look for in their team and how to market yourself as an attractive employee candidate. Mike also shared practical tips and advice to sustain a successful career, and the many ways one can grow a career through experiential gain and networking. Mike, a well-known industry champion of HVAC and the trades, extended his mentorship to each student in attendance, and in doing so demonstrated the strong community that HVACR offers to its professionals.

The students were engaged in his presentation, eagerly participating in the conversation, and enthralled with the practicality of information being presented. Lunch service chatter revealed excitement in having met so many professionals dedicated to introducing them to the real HVACR experience and the warm welcome that was not expected but enthusiastically welcomed.

“The AHR Expo was a tremendous experience for the HVAC students of Western High School. Not only was the red carpet rolled out for our students, but they made great connections and now have a deeper understanding of industry opportunities. To be sure, this experience has greatly enhanced their career trajectory,” said Antonio Rael, Principal of Western High.

Looking to the future

At the close of their visit, students were surprised by a wealth of generosity from industry manufacturers and exhibitors of the AHR Expo.

  • Veto Pro Pac gifted the students with their MB3 meter bag.
  • Ridgid gifted each student with a custom hat and a heavy-duty pipe wrench, as well as many items collected in the booth demonstration.
  • Klein Tools prepared a package with a full brim hardhat, their Pro Pack 6-piece apprentice toolset and an HVAC clamp meter.
  • Fluke, a 2022 Innovation Award Winner, gifted each student a VoltAlert 1ACII non-contact voltage tester.
  • DiversiTech equipped each student with a hilmor tool package consisting of a tool bag, a quick-engage flare & swage kit, a tube bender, a 2-valve aluminum manifold, a dual readout thermometer, and various items to complete an apprentice toolset.

The well-rounded experience was a highlight of the AHR Expo’s return. It served as an empowering addition to all the show aims to offer.

“The AHR Expo was a great place to see what HVAC students will do and achieve in the future,” Jose Cortez, an 11th-grade student.

AHR Expo offers a unique opportunity for the full industry to come together and experience HVACR by seeing what’s new, what’s to come and what is needed. Inviting career candidates at the student level sets the stage for a true understanding of their potential and to see themselves as a part of the industry with realistic expectations and experiences, rather than a cold introduction. What’s more, it gifts awareness to the size of the community available to them, as opposed to only networking with a small set of members on their team.

“We are continuously looking to evolve the best experience for the industry and the professionals that work within it,” continued Stevens. “We observe the trends and needs of the industry and build strong partnerships to strengthen the foundation not only of the AHR Expo experience but also for a thriving industry for years to come. We are privileged to have made the connection with the Western High School community and we look forward to supporting HVACR in more exciting ways such as this experience in the future.”

The industry is poised to thrive but will require dedication to building and maintaining a strong workforce. Curating experiences that showcase career opportunities, the inspiring and dedicated community and the ability to fulfill purpose can support this. The AHR Expo is honored to play its part.

“To recruit people, we need them to see not only a career but also an impact. Because that’s what most humans are looking for. They want to make a difference. They want to make things better. They want to be good stewards, whatever it happens to be. Most people come wanting to make things better. Let’s share what we do to make things better.” Mick Schwedler, 2021-2022 ASHRAE president.

The AHR Expo plans to continue the expansion of this initiative in the years to come, working to develop similar experiences for engineering students, sales and marketing within the supply chain and anyone looking to build a lifelong career in HVACR.

“We are so inspired by the nurturing support of our industry’s community,” concluded Stevens. “The number of people who have reached out looking to help us grow and connect our next generation audiences with established professionals is inspiring. This industry is like none other and we look forward to assisting where we can to close the workforce gap by working together with our strong partnerships.”

You can view a full video recap of the 2022 AHR Expo student visit here.

To learn more about Western High School and its dual HVAC program, visit the school website. For more information on the AHR Expo and the Innovation Awards, visit the AHR Expo website.

The 2023 AHR Expo will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA. Registration will open in the summer of 2022.

ABOUT THE AHR EXPO

The AHR Expo is the world’s essential HVACR event, attracting the most comprehensive gathering of industry professionals from around the globe each year. The show provides a unique forum where manufacturers of all sizes and specialties, whether a major industry brand or innovative start-up, can come together to share ideas and showcase the future of HVACR technology under one roof. Since 1930, the AHR Expo has remained the industry’s best place for OEMs, engineers, contractors, facility operators, architects, educators and other industry professionals to explore the latest trends and applications and cultivate mutually beneficial business relationships. The next show, co-sponsored by ASHRAE and AHRI, will be held Feb.6 – Feb. 8, 2023, in Atlanta, GA, and is held concurrently with ASHRAE’s Winter Conference.

For more information, visit ahrexpo.com and follow @ahrexpo on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

“I don’t want competitors to know I use this tool. Some customers think I have super powers.” That’s Omar Taylor talking about the lightweight, compact Kinetic Water Ram® from General Pipe Cleaners. The innovative tool safely, quickly and cleanly clears clogged sinks and showers, toilets and tubs with Kinetic Energy. And it’s given the young Read more

“I don’t want competitors to know I use this tool. Some customers think I have super powers.”

That’s Omar Taylor talking about the lightweight, compact Kinetic Water Ram® from General Pipe Cleaners.

The innovative tool safely, quickly and cleanly clears clogged sinks and showers, toilets and tubs with Kinetic Energy. And it’s given the young, Indiana-based plumber a clear competitive edge.

Taylor comes from three generations of professionals. In business for over six years, he routinely subcontracts for a major national plumbing and drain cleaning company specializing in franchise services.

“Jobs that take guys an hour with cable machines, I do in just 5 minutes,” he says. “It’s like they say in the movie, ‘Who you gonna call?’ With my Kinetic Water Ram, I handle emergencies super quick!”

Fast, Clean Work

That’s why Taylor prefers General’s pioneering tool for rapidly clearing many common residential and commercial clogs. Call it his “secret identity”!

“I’ve earned a reputation for prompt, clean service with minimal disruption,” he says. “Most customers can’t believe how fast I handle their problems.”

Kinetic Water Ram unleashes a powerful burst of compressed air that drives a shock wave (kinetic energy) through water at 4,700 ft./second – instantly breaking up the stoppage. There’s no pressure build-up within the system, either.  The shock wave bypasses stacks and vents. 98% of the force is directed down the line and only 2% against pipe walls.

The Kinetic Water Ram easily clears hair, rust, grease, sediment, and scale from lines from 1-1/4″ up to 4″ in diameter. It’s especially effective clearing slow draining tubs when the stoppage is on the far side of a drum trap – or through narrow lines in trailer homes that can be hard on a snake.

Amazing Versatility

Taylor first learned of the Kinetic Water Ram when a training supervisor watched him struggle snaking the old trap of a clogged basement shower drain.

“After a while he said, ‘Let me show you how to really do it, son’,” Taylor recalls. “The supervisor got his Kinetic Water Ram, pumped it up, and immediately cleared the clog.”

That’s when Taylor became a true believer.

“The Kinetic Water Ram is perfect for all kinds of drain cleaning problems,” he claims. “It’s amazing on grease in kitchen sinks, hair and scum in bathtubs, and toilet paper and disposable wipes in commodes.”

An optional toilet attachment screws onto the front of the Kinetic Water Ram – permitting firmer positioning in the bowl and acting like a powerful plunger.

The Pro’s Favorite

And Omar Taylor’s not the only “true believer.”

“It takes longer to write-up the bill than to unclog a drain with that tool.” says Dale Smith, owner of D. Smith Plumbing Services in Jayess, Mississippi.

“When several people call you early in the morning or late at night, you can’t afford to spend 3 or 4 hours at each place,” Smith adds. “The Kinetic Water Ram lets me do multiple jobs daily – with time to spare.”

Dale Smith calls it “amazing” on bathtubs. “I’ve cleared hundreds – many with old-fashioned lever-actuated stoppers that prevent me from using a cable machine,” he notes. “Kinetic Water Ram handles them all.”

Compact Design Scores Points

Smith also values the tool’s portability.

“In the past, I’ve snaked through roof vents to clear clogs,” he says. That meant dragging a heavy, awkward cable machine to the roof. “Now I can handle most jobs with my lightweight Kinetic Water Ram.”

General’s tool comes standard with flexible cone seals from 1-1/4″ to 4″ in diameter, caulking hose, and five tapered valves for sealing openings from 1-1/4″ through 4”. A Schraeder valve for use with an external air compressor when clearing difficult blockages is also provided.

Boosting Professionalism & Productivity

“It’s super-simple to use,” Omar Taylor concludes.

Simply pump the Kinetic Water Ram to the desired pressure, plug overflows to prevent splash back, and firmly position the flexible cone over the drain opening. One snap of the trigger unleashes a powerful shock wave, instantly clearing clogs.

That’s especially important when customers see Taylor clearing clogged drains with such amazing speed and cleanliness.

“They think I’m a ‘Super Hero’ of Indiana plumbers,” Taylor jokes. “That’s why I like keeping my Kinetic Water Ram secret from competitors!”